WIFIAN
2026 Fall Conference
Stronger Together
Join fellow WIFIAN leaders from across Wisconsin for two days of connection, collaboration, and practical learning designed to strengthen our organizations and the communities we serve!
LEARN CONNECT SHARE GROW
Location
The Wisconsin Hotel
60 Gasser Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Date
October 21 & 22, 2026
SPEAKERS
Catherine Pederson, PH.D.
CEO & Nonprofit Consultant
Catherine has over 17 years of experience empowering people to make a difference in their community. She is the CEO of Loving Venti, LLC, a Nonprofit Consultant, and an Adjunct Lecturer at UW-Milwaukee in the Helen Bader School of Nonprofit Management. Her experience with small-to-medium sized nonprofits committed to our community includes serving as the Executive Director of Wisconsin Inmate Education Association, whose mission is to transform our prison system from the inside out by educating inmates to become peer counselors and serving as the Executive Director of Friedens Community Ministries, the largest food pantry network in Milwaukee.
Topics: Staff Retention; Growing Your Individual Donor Base; Honoring Our Roots and Building What Comes Next; and Tell the Story that Makes People Care
Karen Foust
Retired Jackson County Interfaith Director
Growing up on a dairy farm outside Black River Falls, Karen learned early the importance of hard work, faith, family, and community. In 1989, she became the first Program Director for Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, where she spent 28 years helping meet the needs of people throughout the community. During her time there, she helped develop new programs, supported the community through the 1993 flood, and worked alongside countless dedicated volunteers. Her faith and passion for helping others made her work especially meaningful.
Today, Karen enjoys volunteering, traveling, gardening, staying active in her church, and spending time with her husband, Bill, their two children, and five cherished grandchildren.
Topics: Honoring Our Roots and Building What Comes Next
Melanie Gonring
Executive Director, Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County
Melanie has served as Executive Director of Interfaith Caregivers for the past two years and has 15 years of experience in Washington County’s nonprofit sector. She is passionate about building a strong, connected community where older adults are empowered to maintain their independence and continue living meaningful, engaged lives. Melanie’s nonprofit career began as an AmeriCorps member and has included leadership roles with the Volunteer Center of Washington County, Albrecht Free Clinic, and Lakeshore Community Health Care. Outside of work, Melanie enjoys trivia nights, golf, hiking the Ice Age Trail, musical theater, and traveling with her husband, Kevin.
Topics: Board Member Recruitment
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